Tag Archives: Montclair

Christine Vandenberg and Colony High School defeated Mt. Baldy League rival, Montclair High School, 3-2, in overtime to claim the Ontario Christian Tournament Championship.

Vandenberg scored two goals including the game-winner for the Titans during the overtime period.

“The game plan was just to press Montclair’s back line and score as quickly as we could,” Vandenberg said. “I figured I would get a chance by pressing high. I saw the ball come off the keeper’s hands and the open net was there.”

Jessica Esquivel contributed to the Titans’ victory with a goal of her own.

“I think this win is just what we needed to boost our confidence and drive as we head into league,” Esquivel said. “This tournament has definitely prepared us mentally and physically for a competitive league this season.”

Vandenberg and Esquivel each scored in the first half before the Cavaliers would score two of their own in the second half and forcing overtime.

“There is always something to work on as a team,” Esquivel said. “But in our case I think it would be best if we worked on our consistency throughout the game instead of letting our guard down and conceding goals or our lead.”

The title game victory also served as Colony head coach John Cortez’s 100th win.

“I feel this was a perfect way for coach Cortez to get 100th win,” Vandenberg said.

Colony (7-0-3) is scheduled to play California High School at 3:15 p.m. on Jan 5. The Titans begin open league play at home against Montclair on Jan 8 at 3:15 p.m.

A league title has been a long time in coming for the Montclair High School softball team.

In fact, coach Gilbert Diaz says his girls were in the gymnasium looking at the different league championship banners in anticipation of securing that league title, the last of which came way back in 1989.

“One of the girls said to me, `Coach we weren’t even born,’ ” Diaz said with a chuckle.

It has indeed been that long.

But the Cavaliers (18-4) secured that long-awaited league title with a 9-4 win over Ontario today. It didn’t come easy. They trailed 3-0 in the sixth inning before regrouping.

Diaz, in his sixth year heading the squad, said the celebration wasn’t that elaborate. Yes the league title was nice. But he thinks his team is capable of more than winning a league title. He is looking for a playoff win or two before he’ll call the season a complete season.

The Cavaliers had battled for years with little success against Chino which has since departed for the Hacienda League, as well as Don Lugo which had been the perpetual runner-up to Chino.

Montclair, ranked No. 5 in Division 3, has been led by senior pitcher Brittany Violette, who has signed with Division I College of Charleston. The only other senior on the squad is catcher Taylor Plant.

Designated player Monique Cazares (.438) is the team’s leading hitter and she is just a sophomore. Third baseman Jocelyn Alvarado (.362) is just a junior.

So Diaz is hoping he has built a good foundation for the future.

The youth programs in the area are getting better which can only help. The other key is being able to keep the players at home who should be going to the school.

Diaz said when he started with the the program there were no players who competed year round in travel ball. Now he had five. But he knows many teams he’ll compete have a roster filled with those. But this is a good start!

There was a specific point this season at which Colony guard Everett Turner began to draw the eye of more college scouts, something he hopes will continue at a high-profile showcase on Saturday. Colony will take on Mission Viejo at noon in the Nike Extravaganza at Mater Dei High School, where the senior hopes to continue a tear that began following the Titans loss to Mt. Baldy League rival Montclair Jan. 4.

The 6-foot-2 combo guard is averaging 27.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and four steals since Jan. 4. The streak includes a 41-point game and 22 points, 11 rebounds and six assists in a rematch win over Montclair on Jan. 18.